Customer Reviews

Ben's Trumpet

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This one little picture book is among the most beautiful and powerful books I've ever read. In fact I don't feel as if I've simply read this book; I feel as though I've experienced it. It was fast and dizzy, yet calm and peaceful. I could almost feel myself sitting outside on a warm night, listening to the wail of jazz music floating on the air. With its simple, easy charm this book taps into the hopes of a small boy, and gives the reader hope that the goodness of the human spirit can triumph over its evils. This book has some of the most amazing illustrations that I've seen in a children's book, and it uses them very effectively. So, whether you are a parent looking for a book that will stimulate your child's imagination, a jazz enthusiast, an admirer of fine illustration, or just a person looking for a heart-warming experience, this book is a fabulous selection.

There are large and small crimes in the world. Small crimes includes little white lies and petty theft. Large crimes represent something much larger in the grand scheme of things. For example, it is a very large crime that it took the New York Public Library's 2003 100 Children's Books Everyone Should Know for me to discover "Ben's Trumpet". Have you seen this book? This is a gorgeous piece of work, particularly striking in its publication date (1979) but not dated. Not even a little. Following Ben, a young man living in a Harlem-esque neighborhood, the story depicts the boy's obsession with playing the trumpet. The plot is touching and has a happy ending that doesn't feel forced or tacked on. It flows just as smoothly as the book itself. Nice storylines aren't what push this book into greatness, however. Look at the illustrations a minute. Notice Isadora's use of line. Her clever placement of black and white. Look at the different drawing styles that emanate from the jazz musicians and their music. Now compare this to Ben's home, a simplistic realistic series of pictures. My favorite section comes after the trumpeter at the Zig Zag Jazz Club compliments Ben on his trumpet playing. The next two pages show the trumpeter walking away, his body curved, swaying to some internal music. On the opposite page there is a kaleidoscope of forms and images, possibly representing Ben's elation at the compliment. Possibly just serving as gorgeous filler. Please read this to your children. Teach this to your children. And give this book to everyone you know. Do I gush? I know I do. But trust me, this book is worth it.

A wonderful book for young children about dreaming/hoping. With few words it gets its point across. Illustrations are incredibly varied and wonderful--I especially love the ones of the musicians! However, I am troubled by the drawing of Ben's father and his friends gambling and drinking--seems to add to stereotypical notions; I'd love to discuss it w/ the author/illustrator.

In the age of computer games and 3-D animation, the simple imagination of a child to envision himself learning to be a jazz musician is refreshing. Unlike previous reviews, I feel the dramatic black and white drawings set off some of the cultural issues the illustrations portray. Obviously, young Ben does not live an idealized childhood at home. Yet, he finds that his passion for music can only be fulfilled outside of jazz clubs (which usually perform late in the evening and he is too young to enter). The point of the book is how he acts out THIS reality. He is looking "outside of the box" (hence the illustrations of his home life) and finds the attention from the father-figure (the trumpeter) who Ben wants to imitate. The book vividly illustrates the importance of role models in a child's life.

As an international music teacher we need to give all theencouragement we can give to keep the music programs alive in ourschools. Not just in the states but in the world. This short story relates to the young hopeful musican who hopes to be a contributor to the music world - Keep the dream.

This book, first of all, has amazing black and white illustrations. I wish I had half the artistic ability shown here! Truthfully, I'm surprised it only won a Caldecott Honor instead of the actual award - but then, I haven't seen the winner for that year.

I love the story, too, though that's secondary. A boy loves the jazz band by his house, and pretends to practice on his trumpet until he's rudely told he doesn't HAVE a trumpet... but his hero fixes that by starting trumpet lessons with him, a nice deal if I ever got one. It's a good little story, but it's outshone by its own artwork.

The illustrations are in black & white which gives it surealist look that I like very much. The story is just precious. If you love jazz you will certainly want this for your children.

Ben's loves jazz music. He loves the trumpet. He spends much of his free time listening to the band at the Zig Zag Jazz Club or playing himself.

The only problem is, he doesn't have a trumpet. He practices the brass equivalent of "air trumpet."

Some people ignore him, some praise him, and some just laugh. What will happen?

The story line in Ben's trumpet is not complicated. In fact, if you just read the story to someone, and prevent them from seeing the pictures, the story comes off as cute but shallow.

But the superb illustrations by Rachel Isadora make this a great children's book. Her pen and ink drawings of gritty neighborhoods, people with expressive faces, and "the world as seen by Ben," make this an effective story to read to children.

This is a review of the 1989 Scholastic edition. The story was copyrighted in 1979.

I decided to pick up some books at the library this month in honour of Black History Month. I have read some others, but I fell in love with this one, Ben's Trumpet. It is the story of a boy who dreams in music form, the pictures are stunning and all done in black and white. My two little guys (3 and 5 years old) were entranced by the details of the art and loved the story as well.

Ben visits the Zig Zag Jazz Club every day. He goes there to watch the musicians work their magic, as music streams effortlessly through their drums, trombones, and saxophones however the one he most admires is the trumpeter. He has his own trumpet that he plays from the fire escape of his house, he is made aware by some other kids that it is just imaginary, not real, pretend stuff.

This is a story of sticking with something, following your own beat and having musical heroes. It is a book where kids are kids, a classic with its thick paper and high quality take-your-time feel. What can I say, my boys and I- well, we loved everything about this Caldecott Honor Book. It has earned its keep as it has a library card holder and is all ragged and loved. It was around 30 years ago, before all the library books were scanned. It is perfect. I know that when we bring it back I'll be itching to head to Powell's and get our own.

I decided to pick up some books at the library this month in honour of Black History Month. I have read some others, but I fell in love with this one, Ben's Trumpet. It is the story of a boy who dreams in music form, the pictures are stunning and all done in black and white. My two little guys (3 and 5 years old) were entranced by the details of the art and loved the story as well.

Ben visits the Zig Zag Jazz Club every day. He goes there to watch the musicians work their magic, as music streams effortlessly through their drums, trombones, and saxophones however the one he most admires is the trumpeter. He has his own trumpet that he plays from the fire escape of his house, he is made aware by some other kids that it is just imaginary, not real, pretend stuff.

This is a story of sticking with something, following your own beat and having musical heroes. It is a book where kids are kids, a classic with its thick paper and high quality take-your-time feel. What can I say, my boys and I- well, we loved everything about this Caldecott Honor Book. It has earned its keep as it has a library card holder and is all ragged and loved. It was around 30 years ago, before all the library books were scanned. It is perfect. I know that when we bring it back I'll be itching to head to Powell's and get our own.